Neutron irradiation of late mouse embryos (15-19 days) in utero

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3576050· OSTI ID:6831513

Vogel, Jr, H H; Antal, S

Pregnant female C57B1/6 mice were irradiated with a single whole-body dose of 0.5 Gy neutrons. The F/sub 1/ hybrid embryos were exposed to the neutrons in utero on Day 17+/-2 of gestation. 178/439 (40.6%) of the irradiated fetuses and 26/217 (12%) of the control mice died within 2 weeks after birth. In both irradiated and control mice, most deaths (95 and 77%, respectively) occurred within 3 days of birth: most animals in both groups died on Day 2. There was no significant difference in the number of living young born per litter (7.2) between the neutron-irradiated mothers and their unirradiated controls. The irradiated mice weighed significantly less than their controls. Several organs were weighed at regular intervals in both irradiated and control mice. Spleens and thymus glands showed no significant differences between the two groups. The livers and kidneys of the irradiated mice weighed slightly less than their controls. The brain weight of 21-day-old neutron-irradiated mice was 30-35% less than control brains. Histological analysis of the central nervous system showed pycnotic nuclei, inhibition of mitosis in neuroblasts, and cell death in the irradiated brains. The weight reduction of the brain was not due to water loss. The hypothesis is that the early mortality after birth is related to the killing of the radiation-sensitive neuroblasts. When newborn mice (1-7 days old) were irradiated in vivo with the same neutron dose of 0.5 Gy, neither the reduction in brain weight nor the early mortality was observed.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, Memphis
• OSTI ID: 6831513
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 98:1; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550900 -- Pathology
560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BARYONS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EMBRYOS
FERMIONS
HADRONS
IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
MICE
MORTALITY
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
ONTOGENESIS
ORGANS
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
PRENATAL IRRADIATION
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION SYNDROME
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES